Sunday, January 8, 2017

Concealed Carry Reciprocity In All 50 States

Dear Friends,

According to my Concealed Carry Gun Permit, I can carry anywhere in the state of California. And, since a number of other states recognize my California issued CCW permit, I can legally carry a concealed weapon there as well.

As for the states that honor California CCW permits, there are a number of states that do. Below are the states that honor a California CCW.

Alaska will honor a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun from another state. Alaska has also recently passed a law that says you may carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

As for Arizona, that state recognizes all other states valid permits. Idaho recognizes a concealed weapons permit from another state. In fact Idaho will honor my California CCW and will allow me to carry a concealed weapon in my car as well on my person.

Idaho Code 18-3302 is very specific about this issue. It allow for reciprocity if a citizen from another state or jurisdiction has a valid concealed weapons permit. The only requirements are that the person have the permit on their person at all times and display it upon request of an enforcement officer.

The state of Indiana honors any right-to-carry permits issued by another state. The state of Kentucky recognizes valid carry concealed deadly weapons licenses issued by other states and, subject to the provisions of Kentucky law, a person holding a valid license

As for Michigan, I read if you are a non-resident of Michigan with a valid concealed pistol permit from your home state, Michigan will recognize your permit. Missouri's carrying concealed law is the same way as it recognizes all out-of-state permits.

Montana recognizes concealed weapons permits from some other states. The Attorney General’s Office has determined that concealed weapons permits from California are recognized under Montana law.

Oklahoma recognizes any valid conceal carry license from any other state. The state of South Dakota also recognizes any valid concealed pistol permit issued to a non-resident of South Dakota.

Tennessee has voted to now recognizes a facially valid handgun permit, firearms permit, weapons permit, or a license issued by another state so that an authorized holder of such an out-of-state permit or license can carry a handgun in the state of Tennessee.

As for Texas, Governor Perry issued a proclamation that allows persons with concealed handgun licenses from California to legally carry in Texas. In Utah, they will honor a permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by another state or county.

In Vermont, folks up there are special in that the state of Vermont does not require a citizen to have a CCW permit. Yes, folks may carry a concealed weapon there without a permit.

In actuality, while some restrictions may apply, Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Vermont, and West Virginia are states that have permitless carry. That means, they allow anyone that can legally possess a firearm to carry a concealed weapon.

Of course, we in California already know that our counties limit us to the specific guns on our CCW permits. Most states know that that's the way things are in California, so most states that you visit will also limit you to the same listed guns even though that state might not have such limitation for their own CCW holders. That's just the way it is. And frankly, when visiting other states that do recognize our California CCW permits, we shouldn't try to carry something that we ordinarily wouldn't.

So now that we all know what states a California CCW permit holder can carry in, and as we can see there are a number of them, why concern ourselves with Concealed Carry Reciprocity in all 50 States?

Well, one reason is that the state of California, like that of New York, Illinois, and few others, does not recognize valid CCW permits from any other state.

The second and more important reason is that it goes to the heart of our Constitution which makes marriages, driver's licenses, trade marks, copy rights, and a number of other legal situations and documents recognized within all of our 50 States and territories. Yes, Concealed Carry reciprocity should be recognized in the same way that other things like marriage and a driver's license are recognized by way of the Constitution of the United States.

So what am I talking about? Well, according to Article IV, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution: The Full Faith and Credit Clause: It provides that the various states must recognize legislative acts, public records, and judicial decisions of the other states within the United States. It states that "Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State."

That means, by law, all of our states shall recognize valid Concealed Carry permits of other states. That is called Concealed Carry reciprocity, and the U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 1, makes it clear that all states are to do so.

So right now, if a Concealed Carry permit holder from California wants to carry a concealed weapon in Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and about 20 other states, they cannot do so legally with their California CCW permit. In reality, they would need to obtain a second CCW permit from a state that has more reciprocity.

Of course, what some may say is even worse is that California does not recognize any other state's CCW permit even if their standards and training requirements exceed what is require in California. And friends, that is not right.

What does it mean that states do not abide by our Constitution when it comes to recognizing Concealed Carry permits? Well, they're breaking the law. Yes, just as with marriages and driver's licenses, all states should be compelled to recognize a CCW permit issued by other states. Not doing it is in violation of our Constitution.

2 comments:

Who do I want to kill? What makes you think that I "want" to kill anyone? What makes you think that? I have learned that I am ultimately responsible for my own security and want to be able to protect myself and my family by having a weapon to do that, so is that translate to "wanting" to kill someone to you? I live in an a county that is over 1,000 sq miles in size at at any given time has 4 deputies on duty, the best that we can hope for is a 45 minute response time at any given location, so what would you recommend I do in that 45 minutes? Should I just allow myself or my family to be assaulted and maybe killed? Is that what you do? Are you just so unconcerned about your safety, or your family's security, that you leave it up to police to protect you? Please remember that the police are reactive and not proactive, that means they cannot even help you until you have been assaulted. Is that OK with you? Is being defenseless OK with you? It isn't for me.

About me?

About me? Well I'm married, and my wife and I live in California, in a small town with a population of about 200 nestled in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. I'm originally from Hawaii, of Portuguese ancestry, retired, a former U.S. Marine, old fashion, Catholic, very Conservative, and not Politically Correct. As for being a Cowboy? Yes, you can thank my Grandpa for my Cowboy ways. The years I spent growing up on my grandfather's ranch in Kunia on Oahu in Hawaii helped make me who I am. As for my writing style? I'm an informal writer. You'll find I write the same as if we were talking over a cup of coffee. Why write this blog? Well, my wife and I believe we should celebrate and defend our American culture, values, heritage, our country lifestyle, and all that makes us proud Americans. Like others, we live simple and work hard to make ends meet while thanking God for our blessings. Basically we're just your neighbors with opinions, stories, and information. Thanks for stopping in.